A Manchester Township nurse has admitted to assaulting and neglecting an elderly nursing home resident at a rehabilitation center in Ocean County, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced.

Lisa L. Erikson, 57, pleaded guilty in Ocean County Superior Court to second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and third-degree neglect of an elderly adult.

According to prosecutors, Erikson was working as a licensed practical nurse at a rehabilitation and nursing center in Whiting on March 19, 2025, when she assaulted an elderly resident who suffered from dementia, depression, and anxiety.

Authorities said Erikson retrieved her personal pepper spray, approached the resident and sprayed him at close range as he attempted to shield himself. She then allegedly sprayed him again before leaving him on the floor unattended for several minutes.

The resident eventually crawled to his feet and entered another resident’s room. Erikson and another individual then forcibly removed him, placed him back inside his own room, and closed the door without providing medical assistance, prosecutors said.

Police and EMS later responded to the facility, treated the resident, and transported him to a hospital.

As part of her guilty plea, Erikson admitted that she was not authorized to use the pepper spray and that she left the resident without care despite having a duty to assist him.

Under the plea agreement, Erikson will permanently forfeit her nursing license. Prosecutors will recommend that she serve 364 days in the Ocean County Jail as a condition of probation.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 13, 2026.